Terminal grounding strap



June 14, 1960 A. c. PETERS TERMINAL GRUNDING STRAP Filed Sept. 25. 1956v I. ftlfilllrldllllllllnllll/ M ATTORNEY United States Patent OTERMINAL'GROUNDING STRAP Arthur C. Peters, Midlothian, Ill., assignor,by mesne assignments, to United-Carr Fastener Corporation, Boston,Mass., a corporation of Delaware Filed sept. 2s, 1956, ser. No. 611,912

z claims. (ci. ass-14) This invention relates to a terminal or connectorstrap useful in a number of settings as, -for example, in the setting ofa grounding strap and grounding lug, both of which are shown in thedrawing.

In the past, numerous eiorts have been made to develop a simple andconvenient means for electrically securing a connector strap toa .groundpost as, for example the tube pin or center post of a laminated tubesocket. The means heretofore developed have either been complex in thestructure itself or in the means for assembling the components, or theelectric connection provided by the attempted mechanical lock is notsatisfactory. There has been a need then for an improved connector strapand tube pin structure mechanically united in the forming of an electricconnection,. and it is accordingly an objectof this invention toprovide-such a structure.

Another object of this invention is to provide in combination with apanel-which, for example, might; be f A the laminates in a laminatedtube socket-a tube pin or connector pin and connector strap for assemblywith such panel inv a simple and expeditious manner, and to provide anarrangement of parts whereby a mechanical interlock occurs between thepin and strap that is effective as a good electrical connection. Yet afurther object is in providing a connector member which may be used as agrounding strap in combination with a laminatedtube socket, and as agrounding lug with printed wire boards, and of course in other settingsas well, and which has a base leg provided at its inner end with anaperture for receiving the sha-nk of a grounding or tube.` pin, andwhich has a tab extending upwardly in substantially contiguous relationwith the shank of a pin extending through the aperture-the tabbeingdimensioned so as to project slightly above the panel with which it andthe pin are assembled, whereby such projecting end bites into the shankof the pin when the upper end of the shank is rolled over in the unitingof the components with the panel. Additional objects and advantages willappear as the specication develops.

Embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the accompanyingdrawing, in which- Figure l is a perspective view of a laminated tubesocket embodying the invention, and being shown with av tube and tubeshield in position with respect thereto; Figure 2 is a bottom plan viewof the socket assembly shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a broken verticalsectional view taken along the line 3--3 of Figure 2; Figure 4 is abroken vertical sectional view corresponding to that of Figure 3, butshowing the condition of the respective parts prior to the swagingoperation that completes the assembly and puts it in the condition shownin Figure 3; Figure 5 is a perspective view of the terminal strap shownin each of the preceding gures in position with respect to the othercomponents of the socket assembly; Figure 6 is a broken verticalsectional view corresponding substantially to that of Figure 4, butshowing a modified form of terminal strap; Figure 7 is a broken verticalsectional view of the modified terminal strap illustrated in Figure 6,and Figure 7 corresponds to the showing of Figure 3; and Figure 8 is aperspective view of the modiiiedqterminal -strap illustrated in Figures6 and 7..

Figure 1 illustrates a laminated tube socket 10 that is forthe most partconventional and has, therefore, a plurality of depending connector pins11 adapted to extend through apertures therefor in a printed wire boardand to be connected by solder globules -to the printed wire thereon.'I'he socket 10 also has a center grounding post or tube pin '12 and aplurality of pin sockets 13 spaced apart circumferentially thereaboutfor alignment with and to receive the contact pins of a tube 14 that, inthe illustration of Figure l, is enclosed by metal, electrostatic shield15. 'Ihe shield 15 may be provided with a number of indentations 16 thatform internal projections for frictionally gripping and centering thetube 14 within the shield. All of the components so far described arewell known in the art, and in being conventional require no furtherdescription.

As is most apparent from an examination of Figure 2, the laminae of thesocket 10 are circular, but at one point therealong are attened, asshown at 17 to facilitate the extension thereby of the upwardly orientedleg 18 of the terminal strap 19, which has an outwardly bowed portion2i) adjacent the lower end of the leg 18 to further facilitate theextension of the leg upwardly beyond the socket laminates. The upperendof the leg 18 is turned laterally outwardly to form a tip 21, and thisoutwardly turned end facilitates the insertion of the tube 14'into thesocket and the'positioning of the shield 15 about the tube.v Theterminal strap also has'abase legV 22 formed integrally with the leg 18,and it -is oriented generally at right angles-with respect to the leg 18so as to lie ush along the underside of the socket 10.

The `socket 10 has yanopening therethrough that is alignable with theaperture 23"in the base leg 22 of the terminal strap, and when theopening and aperture are in alignment, they are adapted to pass a rivet24 therethrough which in completion has swaged-or rolled ends whichserve to rigidly anchor the strap to the socket and, of course, whichserve additionally to anchor the laminates of the socket together. Thebase leg 22 at its inner terminus is circular, as is shown at 25, andthis circular end portion has an opening or aperture 26 therethroughdimensioned to receive the upper shank portion 27 of the tube pinlZ, asis shown `most clearly in Figures 3 and 4. The tube pin 12 has anaccordion fold adjacentY the upper end thereof that forms an annulariiange 28 adapted to abut the underside of the end 25 of the terminalstrap to prevent the pin from moving therethrough.

The terminal strap is equipped with an upwardly turned tab 29 struckfrom the material removed in forming the aperture 26 in terminal end 25thereof. The tab is substantially normal to the base leg 22 of thestrap, and extends upwardly adjacent the circumference of the opening 26whereby it is contiguous with the shank 27 of the tube pin when thatshank is inserted through the opening 26. lt will Ibe noted that the tab29 is dimensioned so that it extends slightly above the upper surface ofthe socket 10 when the strap is in position with respect thereto, havingits base leg 22 in abutment with the undersurface of the socket. Thus,when the pin 12 is anchored in place =by rolling or swaging the upperend thereof outwardly and into the configuration illustrated in Figure3, the upper end of the tab 29 digs into the outwardly turned end of theshank so as to Ibecome, in eect, integrated therewith whereby anexcellent electric connection is provided between these two members.

It will be apparent that the terminal strap 19 may be secured inposition as part of t-he normal assembly operations wherein theconnector pins 11, the sockets 13,

A Patented June 14, 1960 laminates and tube pin 12 are united. Whateverthe sequence of operations, however, the strap 19 will be positionedwith respect to the socket laminates, as shown in Figure 4, and arivet.24 'and tube pin .'12 inserted into position. Thereafter,v thelupper end of `the"rivet and upper end of the pin shank 27 will beswaged over to unite the strap, as shown in Figure 3. It will beunderstood that the leg 18 in being inclined inwardly and in resilientlymaintaining such position, willtightly engage a shield surrounding atube 14 mounted in the socket so as to establish a goed electricalconnection therewith. The shield will lbe igrounded `through the strapand through the pin 1-2 which, when -thesocket is mounted on a panelsuch as a printed wire board, will be connected to an appropriate groundwire.

Figures 6 through 8A show a modification of Vthe ten minal strap 19, andin this form a panelltlf, which may be a printed wire board, isapertured to receive a tube pin or ground post 12. flanged at 28 to abutthe underside of the base leg 22' of the modified 'terminal strap or`ground lug 19. As is most apparent from Figure 8, the base leg of thisconnector strap has al circular terminal end 25' provided with anaperture or opening 26` therethrough which receives the upper shank 27'of the ground post. The connector strapl also has an upwardly orientedtab 29' dimensioned so as to extendslightly above the upper surfacel ofthe panel, and` to biteinto the shank ofthe tube pin at the upper endthereof when it is swaged outwardly, as shown in Figure 7.; .t

The strap 19 has a downwardly turnedleg 18 that, ifk desired, may beformed with auV aperture 30 therein for receiving the end of aconnectorwire which vwould be then soldered thereto; The terminal strapl19,I and tube pin 12 are assembled'withthe panel orboard :10' inprecisely thesamernanner as describedy with reference to the assemblyoperation of 'the terminal strap v 19. Therefore, the assembly stepswill not again be repeated. For convenience, the components ofthemodified ,structure shown in Figures 6, 7 and 8 are designated-with thesame numerals as those adopted forthe components of Figures 1 through 5,and are` distinguished therefrom only in that each of the numbers hasbeen primed.

The strap in the forms illustrated serves' as' a grounding strap for atube shield or as agrounding lug fora tube pin. It will be apparent,Yhowever, that straps or lugs or similar members having different usesmay embody the same inventive principles advantageously for it isfoundthat after assembly an excellent electrical connection is madebetween the strap and tube as well as providing a good mechanicalinterlock] The assembly getinte 4 can be accomplished in a simpleoperation and with convenience.

While in the foregoing speciiication embodiments of the invention havebeen described in considerable detail for purposes of illustration, itwill be apparent to those skilled in the art that numerous changes maybe made in those details Without departing from the spirit and Yprinciples of the invention.

I claim:

l. In combination with an insulating panel havingvan opening therein, aconnector strap abutting one surface of said panel, said strap having aleg apertured to correspond substantially with the opening in said paneland in general alignment therewith -and having a tab extending lthroughsaid opening, and a post member extending through said opening andaperture and @being equipped with a stop abutting said strap, said tabbeing shorter than the portion of said post member extending throughsaid aperture and opening, but being longer than the thickness of saidpanel for projecting therebeyond, the end portion of said post memberbeing turned over to lock said panel and strap against said stop, saiadtab having its outermost end in biting engagement with the turned end ofsaid post member.

2. ln an assembly of the character described, a post equippedintermediate the ends thereof with an.v outwardly extending ange, astrap member provided with an aperture therein receiving said post andbeing in substantially abutting relation with said flange, a tabprovided by said strap and extending along the surface of said post, andan insulating panel having an opening therein passing said Vpost *and`tab therethrough and `be ing-'in substantialA abutment along'one sidethereof with said strap, saidpost and tab projecting Vbeyond the surfaceof said panel andr said post being turnedoutwardlyat its end-to'constrairi said panel and strap against said flange, said' tabhaving its outermost end in' biting engagement with said outwardlyturned portion of said post.

References Cited in the riile of this patent v UNITED STATES PATENTS1,651,660 Alden Dec'. 6, 1927 1,729,873 Hengstenberg Oct. l, 19291,874,593 Olson Aug. 3o, 1932 11,987,118 Lodge `lan. 8, 1935 `2,265,632C6fsn, j l Dee. 9, `1941 2,630,935 Geelen n Mar. 1o, 1953 Y VFOREIGNPATENTSv 505,783 Great Britain May 17, 1939

